Weird Talents

A few weeks ago we caught some of Auckland's International Busk Fest (which isn't nearly as big as Christchurch's festival of street-performers, but was a bit more quality-conscious). Highlights included an English comedian/magician who managed to conjure a watermelon from his hat, and a Canadian who juggled: a chainsaw (while it was operating!), an apple (from which he took the obligatory bite now and then), two flaming wands and a machete, all while "riding" his bicycle - which was perched on top of a 5-meter high pole that was only held up by ropes being pulled taught by five strapping members of the audience.

I'm feeling almost back to normal, so yesterday afternoon we headed over to Aotea Centre for what had been described in the paper as a "Multicultural Festival" but which, when we got there, seemed to be a Chinese New Year event. (But turned out to be pretty multicultural after all.) The stage was dominated by a giant rooster and the emcees introducing each act spoke at length in Chinese, followed by a few words in English. The performers were all Chinese, and included a troop of school girls dancing to Polynesian tunes, a baritone singing arias from the Marriage of Figaro and a modern dance troupe with a Michael Jackson soundtrack. But the standout was the accordianist, accompanied by an electric piano (featuring every sound-effect known to modern man), playing disco versions of Flight of the Bumblebee and The Sabre Dance. (The last one always brings to my mind visions of the plate-spinners on Bozo's Circus when I was a child.) They played with wild intensity, the accordianist nearly bouncing off her chair, hair flailing rock star-style, as the stagelights pulsed and changed like a giant Chistmas color wheel. They were absolutely surreal.

In the evening we packed a picnic and headed over to the Domain for the "Starlight Symphony," billed as the biggest outdoor concert event of the year. In spite of some clouds, it was a beautiful evening and there were a lot of people (although probably not the 200,000 predicted). We walked to the concert at sunset, via a woodland trail which was abuzz with that sound insects make to let us know summer is still here, but won't be much longer. Then, as we reached a clearing, we could hear the Auckland Philharmonia playing Carmen. The first half of the concert was a showcase for local new opera talent, and they were quite delightful.

The second half, however, featured orchestral backup to local celebrities belting out pop/rock classics from Deep Purple to Joe Cocker and, most unfortunately, Led Zeppelin. Plus some razzle-dazzle special effects: multi-color flares, laserlights and a flaming pool the length of the stage, which were supposed to marvel but just came off as cheesy.

Seems like there's never a good chainsaw juggler or accordianist around when you need one.

Cheers,
Sandie